Perceptions and attitudes towards gender in academia: A comparative study from Portugal and Turkey

This paper examines the inequalities of women’s position in senior management in higher education in Portugal and Turkey. It also examines the perceptions that rectors (vice-chancellors)/ vice-rectors have about gender inequalities in higher education institutions (HEI) and the potential attitudes they may have about institutional policies developed to eliminate these inequalities. A qualitative study was developed with 46 interviews conducted in both countries. The paper then explores senior managers’ perceptions about gender inequalities in top positions in academia and the link between these perceptions and their attitudes concerning decisions to promote gender equality for senior managers in Portugal and Turkey. It concludes that in spite of the persistence of different obstacles for women working towards top positions in both countries, senior managers perceive universities as gender neutral, denying the importance of institutional policies and practices to change the situation.